As of Dec. 11, the jail project was 113 days behind schedule and $445,272.13 over the original budget, records show.

Twelve change orders, or work orders, have been made to the project.

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An inmate folds clothes in the laundry room at the Nueces County Jail.(Photo: GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES FILE)

Former Nueces County Public Works Director Glen Sullivan told commissioners in January 2018 that the project was divided into two parts: the office renovations and the dormitory area. "The office part of it is complete, (and) we're actually giving back money. They deleted a couple things from the office part. They have now started the dormitory."

Sullivan said funds for the first phase came from the County Judge's fund. The second phase would be funded by drug forfeiture funds in the Sheriff's Office.

As the second part of the renovation process continued, the change orders and needed funds piled on.

And it's no surprise commissioners had been concerned with the amount of money racking up.

"I know we got to complete the project, I know that, I understand. And I support that and I will vote for that. But it’s every few months that we're having more and more work orders coming in," Commissioner John Marez said in August 2018. "When is when? When are we going to be able to get to that point where we finally meet all our needs. And there's no secret discoveries, and then we're able to pay off the project and move on and move people in?"

GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Female inmates gather as they talk in one of the jail's common areas Thursday, March 3, 2016, at the Nueces County Jail in Corpus Christi.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez)

Change orders for repairs and renovations to the probation and patrol offices, an armory room, ADA-compliant entryways and asbestos treatment were included in some of the 12 orders, records show.

Changes to the flooring, ceiling, plumbing and electrical systems also factored into the orders.

Those repairs brought the project total to $2,440,316.86 and added 113 days to the project's completion date.

"The original start date of January 12, 2017 was delayed 113 days to June 21, 2017. Although this date of June 21 has been set as the actual start date only a small scope of demolition work has been made available at this time," Craig Baldree,of Progressive Structures, Inc. said in a letter to the Nueces County Public Works.

Commissioner Carolyn Vaughn brought up concerns about the delay in August, asking public works officials why building drawings were not provided to the architect and contractors before work began. Work may have also been added once public works officials began conducting an on-site walk-through at least every two weeks.

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GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMESAfter Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting, the county is a step closer to adding 144 more beds to the existing 350 beds at the McKinzie Jail Annex. Local architecture firm Turner, Ramirez and Associates gave a presentation on the now-complete design plans for the McKinzie Jail Annex renovations.(Photo: Caller-Times)

"My point is, as a county, we need to be more proactive in what we do before we give out bids," Vaughn said. "I know more things are going to come with an old building, but I hope we have the drawings."